CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
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Incredibly slow and darned frustrating Sheila!
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Hi rae...i was thinking of you when I heard the earhquake in NZ.
Was it close to you?
Im glad you stopped by.
Hugs
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good morning sistas
i am the one who said I HATE CANCER. I still do.lol
sending a huge hug to all of you today.God bless and be safe
prayers too
K
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Inthepink, I was not given the option of a port. You must remember that when you have nodes removed, it is not recommended that you have needle sticks, blood draws or even your BP taken on that side. You also have blood draws every week to check your white blood count (and other stuff). Your veins get stuck at least weekly. Not to mention IVs for MRIs, CTs, etc...
On my first chemo, I saw a guy a few chairs down, whining as the nurse put in the IV. I thought to myself, "what a baby!" By chemo number 5, I was choosing the nurse I wanted to start the IV, because certain ones would try several times and fail.
I am nearly 7 years out, and my veins never rebounded. I will interject here, I have great veins on my left side, and had them on my right, veins have never been a problem for me. When I have to have a blood draw or IV now, it is an ordeal. I have had my veins blown so many times, and that hurts! Last week, I had to have a CT and Blood Draw. I warned the Tech starting the IV of the vein issues, and she still blew the vein the first attempt.
So, Pink, I hope that you will consider this when contemplating the port. I have no experience about the alien issue, and I have noticed women are ready to get them out by the end of treatment, but I think that is partially attributed to the fact that it is a sign that tx is over! You do what is right for you, but use the information from all these ladies to make an informed decision.
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Hi all, Thanks for your perspective, Meece, because it sheds new light on a port which does sound scary. It just shows that there are good reasons for getting one.
I am at the point where I just met with my surgeon this week and after a reexicision she is recommending a mastectomy. I am meeting with the PS on the 13th to discuss details of a single mx or a bmx. It seems as though the TEs are what my team says is going to work for me.
This is a lot to take in, but I am amazed at what the mind can handle when it has to.
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Thanks for info.I am fine about getting the port,its just alittle on the scarey side but i'M sure I will do fine. I do see the reason for it. ihave a degree in medical technology and worked in a lab for years. I tested and did many blood draws and even helped start ivs for nurses in the so after i was told about all the sticks I would need I knew it would be a good idea.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend.
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Is the procedure for getting a port a tough ordeal? Is it cumbersome? I have no idea, but think that since the onc is recommending Taxol and Herceptin each week for 3 months and then Herceptin wkly for a year that they may have me get one. Can anyone shed any light on this from experience?
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Dx'd recently and still can't believe it. I have been upset and may not have even gotten all of the dx info correct signing up tonight. I have survived a double fatality auto accident in 2001 and just don't feel i have the energy to get thru this. I think i need some help getting past the 'I don't want this, this is not happening to me' frame of mind. Basically, i need to get my act together so the cancer doesn't win. Thanks to all for the good information on contacting resources, keeping records, separate billing. Lucky for me this is a holiday weekend and i have some time to get these things started. Would like some input on how to move forward, it's pretty uncomfortable being stuck where i am.
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onestep - there is a thread explaining step by step port placement - Just serach for PORT PLACEMENT - DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS - it was very helpful in easing my mind when I was deciding on the port.
edited to remove link, it did not work
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onestep....Would you like to know how it felt as an individual or you need to see the procedure?
My experience was just fine almost nothing. I was awake but sedated I could hear everybody.
It was a short procedure. I named it my kitchen outlet because it looked like one under my skin.
Oh what a blessing it was. That was my experience. Waited 2 weeks to heal then I started chemo. I'm also reading some sisters are not waiting from port to chemo. Whatever your oncologist says...
Some woman want to go under during the procedure. I didn't want to.
Taking it out was really nothing just a local and about 15 minutes later it was gone.
If you have any specific questions about the experience you can PM me.
Good Luck.
♥
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gladylady....Welcome to our sisterhood.
Yes its a long journey but believe me once your treatment plan is in place you will feel much better and you find your strength. Let us know if you need to know anything. We can answer you at our best knowledge.
Keep in touch. You can only post 5 times during 24 hours until you reach 50 posts after that there is no limit.
You can Private Message us by clicking the avatar or the persons name and follow very easy directions. There is no limitation on Private Messaging.
Good Luck♥
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gladylady - it is ok to feel shocked and terrified and disbelieving and I am sorry to say that you are probably going to feel pretty uncomfortable for quite a while but the ladies on these boards are here to support and help where and when we can as we have all been where you are now and truly understand what you are dealing with.
For me 'baby steps' was the answer for how to move forward. If I looked at the big picture I became paralysed with fear. Try to focus on what you need to know and do NOW and deal with things as they happen rather than trying to get your head around everything at once. Good that you are reading and educating yourself - that will help you get your mind together. My mind was everywhere so I wrote important information down when I read it so I didn't lose it and I used it as a pros and cons list when I actually had to make decisions. The other thing I did was listen to and trust my gut instinct because I think that was the only shread of reason in me at the time.
Best wishes as you make your way through these tough times.
Please feel free to Private message me if I can help you in any way.
Rae
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Hi Sheila - thanks for the hugs.
I have had a ridiculously busy week and have just not had the energy to log in and see how you ladies are - didn't even have the computer on a couple of days - unheard of for me!
We are unaffected by the recent earthquake (7.1 on the Richter scale). It was in the South Island, about 600 miles south of here, and damaged the city of Christchurch and surrounding country areas. Apparently it was centred on a previously unknown fault line and it has been such as shock to everyone as Christchurch has never been prone to large earthquakes before. It is the 8th largest recorded NZ earthquake and had vertical as well as horizontal movement and has done a lot of structural damage to buildings and homes as well as disrupting water, sewerage and power infrastructure. They are saying it will be a $2 billion fix- yikes, that's a lot of money for a country of 4.5 million people! No loss of life so far, although two people are in ICU after being hit by falling debris, a miracle really. It hit at 4.30am which probably saved lives. My twin DDs are in Wellington (our capital city which is about 300 miles north of Christchurch) at university and they were both woken up by the earthquake so it was a doozey but we didn't feel it here. Christchurch is an old city, is very flat, has a small river running through it and is known as the 'garden city' because of it's extensive botannical gardens - I hope none of the historic buildings like its beautiful cathedral are seriously damaged.
Had a lovely walk on the beach with my friend and our dogs today and then a picnic lunch - so nice to get away from everything and just enjoy the uncrowded beauty of our area. It is Father's Day here today and I felt a bit guilty leaving DH by himself but you have to take your chances to connect with your friends when you can eh?
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Hi all
Just wanted to say hi to all and hope everyone is doing well this weekend.
I will be getting chemo and having my port put in soon.Its the TC regiman over 6 sessions.I know everyones body tolerates things differently but if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear. Not sure what to have in the house for food or drink I may like to have. I was told I would need to be drinking lots of fluids. Is that mainly water or thinkgs like crystal light or should it have sugar in it like juices and stuff. just curious I have read alot and not sure where to start.
Doc said I should go out looking for something for my head now and not wait till I need it.Wow this all is so real now.
My daughter goes back to school tomorrow and the poor thing is a mess. She wanted to be here for me but it is her senior year in college and I just couldn't see her missing out on that.that leaves me home with my husband and my son,2 men I can see why she would worry LOL but I keep telling her I don't plano n feeling bad from this (god I hope I'm right) I just don't want her worry.
Cancer does interfere with our lives some even if we say we won't let it but we do the best we can.
On that note I will go get my day started and hope everyone is having a great weekend!
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Pink, your dr. is right. It was the most horrific thing to have to go choose a wig, and to have my head measured, anticipating the loss of my hair. I went to a center for support of BC patients, so the woman was understanding. I purchased two wigs, and due to my financial circumstances, I got one replacement six months later, by donation.
I used bandanas frequently. As soon as I got home from work, I would take my wig off and put on a bandana.
I think it may have been a week or so ago, different hints were listed on this thread for helping during chemo. It may be a different thread.
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seyla- thanks for the support. i have been able to focus my energy today on putting together all of my medical information, plans for attacking insurance problems that i know will come- i changed jobs and insurance.Actually feeling some what better just knowing there are so many women out there who have survived this experience. Saline or gel? any thoughts?
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gladylady.....I'm so glad you are finding your energy and getting ready to attack LOL.
For the other question someone will answer it. I had a lumpectomy.
And yes unfortunately BC population is growing.
Hugs
Sheila
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I chose silicone, it feels more natural than the saline, but there are alot of choices out there.
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Good night ♥
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deborye-well weren't you just the cutest little thing??????????????
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Joni...I always laugh when she posts this little smileys.
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I like your new avatar Joni.
gladylady - I am relieved to hear you are feeling better and finding the energy to get things organized. I have double skinned silicone outers with saline fill. They were only half filled in the long run because my muscles were very tight and wouldn't give much - I am a full B size and happy with that - they would have been ginormous at capacity volume - yikes. They are squishy if I touch them and are getting squishier as time goes by however, they don't actually feel squishy 'in' me if you get my drift - they still feel pretty stiff.
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Thanks Rae-I had the opportunity to meet a friend from a BCO thread I "belong" to. I trimmed her off of the avatar photo, but we are posted together the thread where we met. What a trip it is, to "know" all of you & then to actually meet-the world is a much smaller place. If I ever get to NZ I'll look you up!!
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Hope you make it Joni! There's a warm welcome and a bed for any of my BCO friends who make it down my way.
I would have been in a much darker place in my life had I not stumbled upon this site. To start with I just read and enjoyed your companionship with eachother because I felt BCO was an American/Canadian site and that maybe I shouldn't stick my head in but you ladies were all so welcoming of new ladies that I finally joined and now I feel priviledged be one of the BCO 'family' and be part of that companionship - thanks guys!
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It is now 7 months post chemotherapy and I started it in December 2009.
I was told my Oncology Pharmacist that there is a delayed side-effect from the chemo drugs that I was on of down the road having problems with teeth/bones-gums. (not everybody but some people).
Well in the past couple of days I have noticed problems with my teeth on the lower right side starting from the back coming forward 4 teeth. (almost as though the bone of the teeth is trying to protrude through the gums). I have read also on the net recently that 'yes' chemotherapy can impose a problem for teeth/bones/gums.
Have any of you women in this forum who are more than 6 months post chemo had this problem with your teeth >>> the bones associated with the teeth and gums.
I am going to make an emerg. appt with Dentist for Tuesday...
Charmaine
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charmaine - sorry to hear there are new problems for you - does it ever end? A lady on another thread said 'cancer is a gift that keeps on giving' - a very scary thought but so true
. Hope you are able to get into the dentist quickly and get some answers.0 -
Thank you, Seyla888, for sharing your individual experience. It is helpful to hear. I will also check out the info re the procedure when I am back online tonight. Thanks to all of you and hugs to all of you.
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CANCER IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS TAKING.
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